Bell: Gets rung
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Logan Morrison dropped a twisting fly ball in left at the very worst time for the Miami Marlins. The muff allowed Justin Maxwell to score the winning run in a four-run, three-error top of the ninth that let the Astros stun the Marlins, 5-4, on Saturday.
Rhiner Cruz, who still hasn't been scored upon as a major leaguer, earned his first big league win and Brett Myers posted his second save as the new closer.
Carlos Zambrano gave up six walks but the Astros could only produce one run on a first-inning single by Carlos Lee. Bud Norris was pecked for four runs on six hits before Cruz took over.
It looked like the Marlins had Houston bats in a sleeper hold until Heath Bell came on in the ninth and then the wackiness began. Down 4-1, Jose Altuve ripped a one-out double into the alley and reached third when the ball was mishandled. Pinch-hitter Travis Buck singled him home.
Jordan Schafer was awarded first on catchers interference, advancing Buck to second. After Jed Lowrie flied out for the second out before J.D. Martinez skipped a 3-2 pitch up the middle to make it 4-3. Lee, who was the goat in Friday's ninth inning, spanked the first pitch into right field to tie the game.
Bell left to a round of boos as Randy Choate was brought in to face Brian Bogusevic, a lefty hitter with little success against lefty pitchers. On a 2-1 pitch, Bogusevic sent what looked like a routine fly to left which would have ended the inning but, between the wind, the lights and the new park, Morrison seemed uneasy as the ball settled into his glove only to kick out and fall to the ground.
Disappointed fans stormed out of the park but the teams will be back at it again Sunday afternoon in a 12:10 Central tilt. Lefthander J.A. Happ (1-0) will pitch against Anibal Sanchez (1-0).
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